Asian esports powerhouse, TALON Esports, has faced a significant setback as they have been officially ousted from two major gaming leagues. This decision has sent shockwaves through the esports community, highlighting the financial struggles of even the most prominent teams. TALON Esports has been removed from the VCT Pacific and LCP circuits due to ongoing financial challenges.
TALON’s Financial Turmoil
Both the LCP and VCT Pacific have announced the removal of TALON Esports, attributing the decision to the organization’s financial difficulties. TALON themselves have admitted via a social media post that delays in securing funds from their current financing round have severely impacted their operations. According to the LCP’s public statement, TALON was granted multiple extensions to rectify the situation but ultimately failed to meet the requirements necessary to remain in the VALORANT league.
Implications for the Gaming Industry
This development is particularly striking as TALON had previously been embroiled in controversies over financial mismanagement, including issues related to a $1 million loan. The severity of their situation was further highlighted when former TALON streamer Chang ‘Zod’ Po-Cheng revealed on stream that he is owed several months of salary. In the context of VALORANT, this marks the second team exit from the VCT this year, following the departure of KOI in the EMEA region. For League of Legends, the absence of TALON is a significant blow to the LCP, considering TALON was one of the top Pacific representatives at the recent World Championship.
Finding New Partners
With TALON’s departure, both the VCT Pacific and LCP are now tasked with finding new teams to fill the vacated spots. Jake ‘Jaker’ Sin, Head of VALORANT Esports in APAC, mentioned a selective application process would be conducted to identify a suitable replacement team that resonates with the Thai community. Meanwhile, Riot Games will be working on confirming new teams for the LCP, with an update expected once the process is complete. As for the players left without a team, they are encouraged to stay within the ecosystem, potentially joining other teams.